What’s new in breast cancer research and treatment

Research into the causes, prevention and treatment of breast cancer is underway in many medical centers throughout the country. Patients can get information at many community hospitals.

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

Writer

Posted Oct. 2, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 2, 2013 at 2:07 AM

Posted Oct. 2, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 2, 2013 at 2:07 AM

» Social News

Research into the causes, prevention and treatment of breast cancer is underway in many medical centers. Hare is what some of the cutting edge research is looking at as it may affect the risk of breast cancer.

Causes

Environmental: exposure to toxins and other potential influences on immune system.

Lifestyle factors: the effects of weight gain or loss, exercise, and diet on cancer development.

Genetic variations: testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. Also how common gene variations may affect risk, whether a single gene variant or several together.

Prevention

Drugs such as Fenretinide and retenoids, drugs related to Vitamin A. Tamoxifen is already know to reduce risk

To better select women who benefit from adjuvant therapy, studies to link specific gene patterns to the more aggressive cancers.

Newer imaging tests such as molecular breast imaging, when a radioactive tracer is injected into the blood. The tracer attaches to cancer cells. This is being studied to find out if it will be useful.

Lab tests to detect cancer cells that have broken off from a tumor and are circulating in the blood.

3D mammography. Three views help doctors see problem breast areas more clearly.

Targeted therapies use drugs that work with gene changes in cells that cause cancer. Drugs using antibodies that target cancer cells with too much HER2 protein. These drugs are being used in women with advanced breast cancer.

Drugs that target blood vessels that nourish cancer cells. Earlier anti-angiogenesis drugs including Avastin did not prove helpful, but several other new anti-genesis drugs are being tested in clinical trials

Afinitor is a targeted therapy drug that seems to help hormone therapy drugs work better. It is approved to be given with Aromasin to treat some breast cancers in post menopausal women and is being studied with other hormone therapy drugs.

Other potential targets for breast cancer drugs are being identified. Bone strengthening drugs being considered include bisphosphonates and also Vitamin D.